Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The Zambia Revenue Authority elite anti-smuggling squad has impounded a tipper truck carrying alcohol worth K250,000 in taxes.
The Tipper truck was intercepted around 02:30 hours at Naduba in Chikankata district of the southern province destined for Lusaka.
The alcohol is believed to have been smuggled in to Zambia and smugglers thought by using a tipper truck they would not be noticed by the anti-smuggling teams that are patrolling day and night.
Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda has insisted that “ZRA will not change its stance on smuggling and that smugglers will risk losing both the goods and the truck when caught”.
Mr. Chanda further advised the transporters and truckers to ensure that they deal with legit clients who are not in the habit of smuggling to avoid the risk of losing their vehicles when impounded.
He said despite the authority meeting its annual revenue target for 2018, ZRA will not relent on anti-smuggling activities.
“These are pure cases of forgery, false representation and attempted smuggling contrary to the customs and excise act Chapter 322 of the laws of Zambia”, Mr. Chanda said.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda.
The Lusaka City Council will in the next 14 days bury 19 unclaimed bodies at a cost of K32, 000.
This follows the request from the University Teaching Hospital for LCC to bury the 19 unclaimed bodies which have been laying in their facilities for sometime now.
Council Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said the Zambia Police Service has already authorised the burrying of the bodies.
According to letter from UTH, the unclaimed bodies have given rise to an unpleasant mortuary environment contrary to the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr. Sichimba said Consequently, LCC has caused a public notice in the press about its intention to bury the unclaimed bodies.
He said this is in accordance with the provisions of Section 61, Paragraph 41 of the Second Schedule of the Local Government Act Cap 281 of Laws of Zambia.
Mr. Sichimba explained that in accordance with the law, 14 days have been assigned in the notice for members of the general public to claim/identify any of the bodies and at the expiry of the assigned period, all the bodies which will not have been claimed will be buried.
He said this will be the fourth time this year that the Council will be burying unclaimed bodies from health facilities around Lusaka city and if no body will be claimed, the total number of unclaimed bodies buried this year will stand at 126 costing Council over K200, 000.
Mr. Sichimba said the first batch had 40 bodies, the second had 21 bodies, the third had 46 and current one has 19 bodies.
Police in Lusaka have warned and cautioned Cynthia Bwalya a musician popularly known as Kay Figo of Woodlands for the Offence of Prohibition of pornography which is contrary to section 102 (a) of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act number 21 2009.
Police last week summoned Kay Figo for questioning over her revealing photo that caused a social media storm.
The image shows Figo in a sitting position, legs wide open, no underwear but only a strategically-placed hand covering her lady parts.
Figo posted the photo on her Facebook page on Thursday as a promo for the new music video for her single ‘Taken’ which was released on the very day.
Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said investigations in the matter have continued.
The Ministry of Health has been awarded additional funding amounting to US$ 3.5 million by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for rapid expansion of cervical cancer screening services, especially for women with HIV.
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said the Ministry is delighted with the additional funding because it will be a catalyst towards rapid expansion and integration of cervical cancer screening among women with HIV who are receiving Antiretroviral Therapy services in high volume sites.
Dr. Chilufya has also welcomed the announcement by President George Bush on the new collaboration efforts that includes the George W. Bush Institute, PEPFAR and UNAIDS to move into the next phase of the public private partnership of developing a model, demonstrating a greater impact and reduction of deaths due to cervical cancer specifically in HIV positive women.
He said the Ministry immensely values the Partnership to End AIDS and Cervical Cancer because it will help in saving the lives of Zambian women from HIV and cervical cancer
This is according to a statement issued to the media by Ministry of Health Head of Media Relations Stanslous Ngosa.
File:Zambia police officers manhandling an unruled supporter who invaded the pitch during Power Dynamos vs Mufulira Wanderers BBZ quarter final at Kitwe Arthur Davies stadium.
Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe says Government is in support of ending violence during and after every football match.
Mr Mwakalombe said it is government’s desire is to see to it that games are played and end in a peaceful manner.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this during the Miss Zesco 2018 Fan Club last night at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola.
He thanked Zesco Soccer fans who come up with the theme “Abash Hooliganism and Violence” adding that, violence if not stopped can destroy the beauty of the game.
Mr Mwakalombe noted that violence and hooliganism do not just affect the teams involved but distresses the health of the fans and brings about permanent division amongst players.
He added that through violence, properties are damaged and some people end up being arrested while, revenue is lost as teams are banned from playing which negatively affects the development of football at community level and the country at large.
He advised soccer fans, players and officials to accept the match results whether it’s a win, draw or lose because football brings people together.
Mr Mwakalombe further urged the winners of the Miss Zesco 2018 Fun Club to participate in bringing into reality the Zesco theme of “Abash Hooliganism and Violence”.
And Zesco United Football Club Secretary General, Richard Musonda said violence has no place in society further urging people to work hard.
Meanwhile, Zesco Fan Club Chairperson, Christerbel Chasaya assured government that Zesco United Fan Club will remain a good Club in spearheading peace in the world of soccer.
File: An 11 year old girl with a traditonal instructor during an initiation ceremony organised by the Kunda people of Mfuwe in eastern province. This was in Ndola’s Chifubu township.
The Ministry of Gender has today launched the 2019-2021 District Action Plan on ending child marriages in Senanga district whose goal is to contribute to the targeted 40 percent national reduction in child marriages by 2021.
Minister of Gender Elizabeth Phiri has said that the Action Plan which has been made possible with support from UNICEF focuses on interventions to eliminate teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the District.
Mrs. Phiri said the district analysis report indicates that there is an escalating level of teenage pregnancies due to various factors that includes poverty, traditional and religious beliefs and limited access to schools especially secondary schools and weakening of community and family support systems among other pressing factors.
She said that the 2018 district situation analysis indicates that 19 girls in grade six and 16 girls in grade seven got pregnant in 2017.
Mrs. Phiri was at pains to learn that some girls start sexual relations as young as 12 years due to some traditional ceremonies which expose them to information about sex.
She is saddened that despite the main positive interventions, Government and cooperating partners are putting in place, Zambia has continued being one of the countries with high rates of child marriage in Eastern and Southern Africa as 31 percent of women aged 20-24 are married before the age of 18.
Mrs. Phiri said that irrespective of the high prevalence rates, Zambia has made a lot of progress in the fight against child marriage as in 2015, Zambia co-hosted with the African Union Commission, the first- ever African Girls’ Summit on Ending Child Marriage.
The Minister said the Ministry is also the secretariat for the Consortium on Ending Child Marriage comprising 15 Ministries.
She said the Ministry has also been coordinating national efforts against child marriage, while addressing vulnerabilities as well as consequences associated with marrying off children.
The Ministry of Finance in November 2018 released a total of K4.8 Billion to finance public service operations and sustain service delivery.
Of this amount, K943 million was funded to service both the domestic and external debt; K940 million went towards grants to various institutions; K1 billion was released to finance various government projects, programmes and general operations; and, K1.9 billion went towards the public service wage bill.
The Treasury also released a total of K169.3 million as Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in November 2018, to support various community-based projects in all constituencies.
Commenting on November 2018 budget releases, Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe says the reforms related to the removal of consumption subsidies and the austerity measures which the Government has implemented are now bearing fruit as seen by the timely releases of funds to productive sectors such as agriculture and to social sectors such as education, health, and public welfare.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe has called on Ministries, Provinces and other Controlling Bodies to remain instrumental in actualizing President Edgar Lungu’s vision of developing the country without leaving anyone behind by ensuring that there is prudence in the management and utilization of public resources at all times.
She has also indicated that this is first time in long-time that the Treasury has not lagged behind in releasing resources for the Constituency Development Fund.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe added that as soon as the 2019 National Budget is approved, Members of Parliament, in collaboration with other stakeholders in their jurisdictions, will have an opportunity to focus on community initiatives using the released CDF resources.
Of the K4.8 billion total funding for November 2018, releases for capital expenditure totalled K422.9 million, of which K193.2 million was for payment towards continued works and completion of road projects across the country, K10.6 million went towards the Rural Electrification Programme, and K49.8 million for other capital expenditure programmes across the nation.
In order to continue reducing the country’s indebtedness and ensure fiscal sustainability as projected in the Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme [ESGP] and the Medium Term Debt Strategy [MTDS], the Government released a sum of K942 million in November 2018 for payments towards both domestic and external debt obligations. This is a practice to which the Ministry remains committed.
With regard to support for agriculture development, the Treasury released a sum of K458.7 million towards the Farmer Input Support Programme.
The money will cater for the speedy implementation of the FISP programme during the current 2018/2019 farming season, through both the e-Voucher and the direct redeeming programme windows.
For the purpose of clarity, the Ministry of Finance said some of the funds from the K458.7 million were allocated to the process of dismantling outstanding bills under the FISP programme.
The total amount released towards the FISP programme now stands at K1.74 billion from January 2018 to end November, 2018.
The Food Reserve Agency also received K50 million in November 2018 to liquidate some outstanding bills and to procure maize and other grains in accordance with state stipulations for strategic reserve requirements.
Further, a sum of K46.1 million was released to liquidate outstanding liabilities related to the consumption of goods and services by various line Ministries, Provinces and Spending Agencies. This brings the total amount released in 2018 for dismantling arrears to K379.3 million.
The Treasury further released K142 million to support the activities and operations of various central government institutions. Of this amount K50 million went towards the procurement of drugs and medical supplies in public health institutions. In addition, public grants for supporting the operations of various public institutions such as hospitals and other medical institutions amounted to K60.6 million, while universities and schools country-wide got K116.3 million.
In order to achieve the timely payment of November salaries for various public service workers, including teaching, medical and security personnel, the Government spent a total of K1.9 billion on the Public Service Wage Bill (Personal Emoluments).
The Zambia Revenue Authority received K66.2 million during the month under review to ensure that the strengthened domestic resource mobilisation drive remains on course. K89.9 million went towards supporting the operations of local authorities across the country through the Local Government Equalisation Fund (LGEF) and a further K180.5 million was released in November 2018 to support the operations of other public entities and quasi-governmental organisations.
This is contained in a statement issued to the media by Ministry of Finance spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta.
President Edgar Lungu having the light moment with African Parliamentarian Network Against Corruption Zambia Chapter Chairperson Cornelius Mweetwa and Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe shortly after the touring of stands at the commemoration of 2018 International Anti-Corruption Day at Show grounds
Operation Young vote have commended President Lungu for his strong directive to the Anti-corruption commission and other law enforcers on combating corruption but said if not followed by action by the President himself, it will be nothing but rhetoric.
During the commemoration of the 2018 International Anti-Corruption Day held in Lusaka yesterday, President Lungu said the government is committed to making Zambia a corruption free zone on the continent. He directed the Anti-Corruption Commission to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and ensure that culprits cited in the Auditor General’s report are quickly brought to book regardless of their political affiliation and status.
However, OPV has challenged President Lungu to deal with corrupt ministers in his cabinet to give credence to the whole corruption and criminality fight.
Below is the Full Press Statement
Operation Young Vote (OYV) would like to comment President Edgar Lungu on his strong directive to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other law enforcers, during the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day, to bring to book, deal with and recover resources from all those cited in the Auditor General’s Report.
President Lungu’s recognition that most of those involved in corruption and criminality hide under the guise of being Patriotic Front (PF) Members and/or sympathizers and also that belonging to the PF would not save anyone from being followed of one’s corruption and criminal behavior is an encouragement to the corruption fight.
We are of the considered view that this is one of the fundamental steps in curbing corruption and criminality especially in State institutions. However we are further of the conviction that the strong words and directive remain but only rhetoric if not followed by action by President Lungu himself.
President Lungu must ensure that he puts in place mechanisms to follow up this policy pronouncement with institutions that are supposed to implement Presidential Directives/Government Policy.
OYV would further like to challenge President Lungu, who we are convinced that he is very well informed of the ills of corruption (among them depriving the citizens especially the poor of their right to dignified livelihood, joblessness and huge unemployment levels especially among the Young People), to deal with the corrupt Ministers within his cabinet, who he had indicated some time back that some of them were deadly corrupt. This, in fact would be more practical and give credence to the whole corruption and criminality fight.
OYV is of the conviction that pronouncements that are not coupled with action remain only rhetoric and fall short of political will just as the Bible says that Faith with Action is dead and only ends up at being noisy gong.
Guess Nyirenda (Mr.) – Executive Director
OPERATION YOUNG VOTE
Barbara Banda was in action in Spain on Sunday while on the same date in Botswana, the Zambia U17 were battling for survival at the Zone 5 Games.
BANDA INSPIRES LOGRONO
Shepolopolo captain Barbara Banda’s on Sunday helped extend her Spanish club Logrono’s unbeaten run to a third successive match following an away draw against hosts Rayo Vallecano.
Her assist for teammate Jade Boho’s 45th minute goal gave Logrono a 1-0 halftime lead in the 11th placed promoted sides in their 1-1 result at number six team Rayo Vallecano.
Banda played the full 90 minutes in what was her fourth match back from the 2018 Women’s AFCON in Ghana where she was sidelined with an injury and missed all three group games where Shepolopolo exited in third place on 4 points.
ZAMBIA U17 ON THE VERGE OF ZONE 5 EXIT
While their Under-20 counterparts have reached the COSAFA U20 Cup semifinals on home soil, Zambia U17 are on the brink of exiting the AUSC Zone 5 Games football tournament in Botswana.
Oswald Mutapa’s side have a meager 1 point from two games and lie third in Group A after losing 1-0 to eSwatini in their penultimate game on December 9.
The defeat came after collecting a 0-0 draw against hosts Botswana in their Group A opener on December 6.
Zambia must now beat Namibia on December 11 to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive.
eSwatini lead Group A on maximum 6 points, Botswana are second on 4 points heading into their top two decider on Tuesday and a draw in that tie will see Mutapa’s Zambia eliminated.
=2018 COSAFA U20 CUP
02/12/2018
Group A
Malawi 0 Zambia 2 (Prince Mumba 63’ 86’)
06/12/2018
Zambia 2 (Benson Kolala 18′, Prince Mumba 24′) DR Congo 0
Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Hon. Godfridah Sumaili during the 70th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Government says it wants to increase knowledge levels on Christian and national values and principles so that people can meaningfully engage in the country’s development.
Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfrida Sumaili says her Ministry appreciates efforts by people to promote and mainstream Christian and national values and principles for the social transformation of the country.
The Minister said Zambia as a Christian nation with values based in the bible should encourage the culture of reading in its citizens.
The Minister said this in a speech read for her by Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Chief Planner, Mumba Tembo during the launch of the book entitled, ‘Why Me’ written by Bishop Frederick Phiri.
She noted that the book is intended to enable the readers to fine tune their minds and understand why God allows complex and tragic events to happen to people.
And Author of the book, Frederick Phiri said the book aims at encouraging people not to lose hope but make right decisions to attain success.
Bishop Phiri said he was inspired to write the book so that he can share what God has revealed to him during his 26 years of ministry.
He encouraged other clergy men and women to share God’s revelations with the world by writing books for the next generations.
Police have instituted administrative action against a Police officer from Mobile Unit in combat uniform who allegedly collected money from a motorist at Kagem security check point on the Copperbelt.
In a video that is circulating on social media, the Police Officer is seen pleading for leniency from agitated members of the public for not issuing a receipt.
Police Spokesperson, Esther Katongo told ZNBC News in a statement that the discreditable conduct by the officer in question is uncalled for as it has potential to put the institution in disrepute.
Mrs. Katongo has appealed to the complainants in the video to make a formal report at any nearest Police Station and give an account on what transpired.
She said that all Police officers are reminded to always be professional in the discharge of their duties and stay away from corruption.
Mrs. Katongo also urged the public to always demand for a government receipt for any money paid to a police office in fees or fine.
She said this will greatly help in the fight against corruption.
Hon Chris Yaluma minister of Commerce, Hon Felix Mutati, Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota and Maj Gen. Topply Lubaya Zambias Ambassador to Egypt.
Former Minister of Commerce and Trade, Felix Mutati has observed the need for African Governments to deal with challenges stopping the growth of Young African entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the Sidelines of the Africa 2018 Summit themed: ” Business for Africa and the World” in Sharm el sheikh, Egypt, Mutati said the young entrepreneurs are telling Governments in Africa that they have the determination, innovation and the right ideas to grow Africa and that governments should help them by dealing with the challenges they face in growing their businesses.
He said young entrepreneurs are fatigued with African Governments only signing trade agreements and wants them to move a step further towards practical implementation of the said trade agreements.
Mutati who has held several government portfolios including that of Minister of Commerce and Trade and Finance among others, said Africans should first trade among themselves before looking outside Africa for partnership.
“Young Entrepreneurs are saying to us that they have the determination, the innovation and the idea’s but that they need governments to lower the barriers to access and the cost of capital. They need governments to create capacity in skills and technology as well as open new markets,” he said.
Mr.Mutati said young entrepreneurs are fatigued with governments merely signing agreements but not making things happen.
He said there is need for a paradigm shift as regards the work ethics as the answers to the challenges faced by the continent can not come from outside but from within.
“The answers to our challenges are right in our hands, in our work ethics, in our actions, in having a paradigm shift in the mindsets. Lets not ask what others will do for us, lets start from inside and do it ourselves. It is possible.”
Mutati further explained that there is need for regional integration models signed in Kigali to translate into their intended results.
“The message from the African leaders is very clear, that the starting point for the liberation and growth of African trade is for Africa to trade with each other, for Africa to invest in each other, for Africa to connect with each other as countries using the regional integration model under COMESA, SADC and the East African Community.
“We need to make sure that we translate the signing of the free trade areas for Africa that was done early this year in Kigali, moving from the signing ceremony to practical implementation of the agreement. Lets break down the hesitations, the bureaucracies that are slowing down the expansion of trade in Africa. Lets deal with the challenges and irritations of boarder crossing for example. Lets deal with infrastructure that is not connecting and helping us to trade with each other and lets share technology,” he said.
Mutati is in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt at the invitation of the Egyptian government for the second time as a speaker at the Africa 2018 Summit, his first invite being at the inaugural conference/summit in 2015.
FILE: The PF MPs based on the Copperbelt during a news conference at Protea Hotel in Ndola
Patriotic Front members of parliament from the Copperbelt province have endorsed President Edgar Lungu as the party’s sole candidate in the 2021 general elections.
Copperbelt members of parliament caucus committee chairperson Evans Chibanda says the outcome of the Presidential eligibility case was professionally done.
Mr. Chibanda who is also Mufulira MP told ZNBC news that the judgement has allayed a lot of speculations that were in the party.
And the Patriotic Front in North Western Province says the outcome of the Presidential eligibility case entails that there will be no speculations on who will contest on the PF ticket in 2021.
PF North Western Province Chairperson Jackson Kungo says the party in the province is excited that the matter has been put to rest.
Mr. Kungo who is also a member of the central committee has congratulated President Edgar Lungu on the historic judgement of declaring him eligible to stand in 2021.
He has told ZNBC news in a statement that as a party in the province, they never doubted the eligibility of President Lungu to stand for another term of office in 2021.
Mr. Kungo said the party in the province pledges total loyalty and support to President Lungu and the party.
He has urged PF members and functionaries to work and energize the grassroots to ensure another victory in August 2021.
And Lusaka Lawyer Tutwa Ngulube says it will be easy for the PF to win the 2021 General Elections following the Constitutional Courts decision to clear President Edgar Lungu to stand as a Presidential candidate.
Mr. Ngulube says this is because most Zambians have come to love the Head of State due to his humility and hard work.
He says the opposition were hoping the Constitutional court will stop President Lungu from contesting the election so that they can have it easy.
Mr. Ngulube says this can be seen from the outcry after the judgement despite the court having interpreted the constitution correctly.
He told ZNBC News that PF members should continue working hard to increase on the votes that were obtained during the last elections.
President Edgar Lungu confers with RTSA Staff at the Stand of Road Transport Safety Agency Stand during the tour of stands at the commemoration of 2018 International Anti-Corruption Day at Show grounds
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) says the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has improved revenue collection.
RTSA Chief Executive Officer, Zindaba Soko said with the introduction of speed cameras, the Agency now collects in one month traffic fines what it used to collect in a year.
Mr Soko said the speed cameras and non-handling of cash by RTSA has led to RTSA raking in more revenue.
ZANIS reports that Mr Soko disclosed this when President Edgar Lungu toured the RTSA stand at the Lusaka Show grounds during the commemoration of the 2018 International Ant-Corruption Day.
Mr Soko said the introduction of the speed cameras and bank payment system is helping change public perception of corruption levels in the agency.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Police (ZP) says it is working round the clock to change public perception that the Police Service is the most corrupt institution in the country.
Zambia Police Service Assistant Director for Professional Standards, Charity Munganga told President Lungu when he toured the their stand, that Police is engaging the public to sensitise them on services the Police Service offers for free as well as procedures for complaints and the service charter.
Ms Munganga said Police officers are being re-oriented in line with the ethics and integrity requirements to ensure that they are abreast and part of efforts to rid the service and country of corruption.
And the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) told President Lungu that electoral malpractices do not happen during voting but during political campaigns.
ECZ Voter Education Manager, Emmah Mwiinga said ECZ is free from electoral malpractices because it operates a tight and fool proof system.
Ms Mwiinga said electoral malpractices are done by political parties during campaigns where they condition voters and other people to behave or conduct themselves in certain ways that will benefit their interests.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary CHANDA KASOLO sharing experiences with other Controling Officers @ Protea Hotel in Chisamba
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo has warned that he will not shield anyone engaging in corrupt activities but will use his authority to ensure that perpetrators of the vice are disciplined.
Mr Kasolo said the region cannot develop in a corruption prone environment because it robs people of desired developmental goals.
Speaking in a speech read for him by Provincial Education Officer at the commemoration of the International Corruption Day in Chipata this morning, Mr Kasolo pledged to prioritize the fight against corruption by mainstreaming it in all programmes.
Mr Kasolo said Government prioritizes the fight against corruption saying that the enactment of the public finance management Act of 2018 will ensure accountability, transparency and effective utilization of public funds.
He noted that with the enactment of this law, it is evident that Government remains steadfast in the fight against corruption.
Mr. Kasolo stated that government recognizes the importance of young people in the fight against corruption because of their potential to bring a new culture of integrity at all levels of society.
He commended Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the Province for engaging young people through various school club activities and the distribution of books from grade 5 to 12 by the commission in the region.
Meanwhile, Caritas-Chipata Governance Programmes Coordinator, John Zulu commended government for its efforts and political will in fighting corruption.
Mr Zulu has however charged that many Zambians have gone through pain and sufferings because of corrupt leaders in successive Governments.
And Acting ACC Regional Manager, Brian Mbewe said there is need to form integrity committees that help in combating corruption at institutional levels.
Mr Mbewe observed that there can never be development where corruption is rife as mismanagement of public resources lead to underdevelopment because money meant for development of the nation ends up in pockets of individuals.
He pointed out that corruption should be fought aggressively if the country is to attain meaningful development.
